Lee & Low Acquires Children's Book Press by Wendy Werris from Publishers Weekly. Peek: "Children’s Book Press, founded in 1975 by Harriet Rohmer for the specific purpose of creating a line of bilingual and multicultural books, ceased operations at the end of September and has sold its backlist inventory of 90 titles to Lee & Low Books in New York."

Gantos, Raschka, Whaley: Where They Were When the Award Call Came from Publishers Weekly. Peek: "...three lucky authors got phone calls from the Newbery, Caldecott, and Printz committees, letting each of them know they had won the top prize. And whether they were at home when the call came (in the case of Jack Gantos), in search of a missing cell phone (Chris Raschka), or on the highway heading to Dallas (John Corey Whaley), the messages awaiting them on the other end of the line were life-changing. What was going through their minds when the phone rang? And what did they do next?"

Celebrate Black History Month with Picture Books by Jennifer Shultz from ALSC Blog. Peek: "Since there are many superb titles that feature the history of African-Americans, let’s chat specifically about picture books for the purposes of this discussion."

Imagining Multiple Platforms by Mary Kole from Kidlit.com. Peek: "I urge debut writers whose interest lies primarily in landing a print book deal to focus there first. If you try to pitch an idea in too many directions at once (as a magazine, app, TV show, clothing line) without first having any print titles under your belt, agents and editors will think you’re ambitious…and not in a good way."

Marketing and Publicity for Authors, Part 1 by Janet Fox from Through the Wardrobe. Peek: "Most authors I know do a significant amount of marketing; I know I do. For the next several weeks I’m going to share a few things I’ve learned since the publication of my first book...."

Some Packing Tips for Conferences by Kimmie Poppins from Jess Free Falcon. Peek: "Wear comfortable shoes. Your fancy shoes should be comfortable and then also bring a really comfortable pair and plan your outfit around them for Sunday--because by then your feet hate you."

Invention by Brian Yansky from Brian's Blog: Diary of a Writer. Peek: "...coming up with inventive twists and turns of a story or inventive ideas that propel scenes or give characters a compelling otherness that’s hard to resist as a reader."

CBC Diversity: new blog. Peek: "The CBC Diversity Committee is dedicated to increasing the diversity of voices and experiences contributing to children’s literature. To create this change, the Committee strives to build awareness that the nature of our society must be represented within the children’s publishing industry. We endeavor to encourage diversity of race, gender, geographical origin, sexual orientation, and class among both the creators of and the topics addressed by children’s literature. We strive for a more diverse range of employees working within the industry, of authors and illustrators creating inspiring content, and of characters depicted in children’s literature."

Challenge, Counter, Controvert: Subverting Expectations by Uma Krishnaswami from Write at Your Own Risk. Peek: "I'm writing this from India where continuum and contradiction are present in tandem: Republic Day flag-buntings and traditional rice-flour kolam on thresholds and sidewalks, the whir of ceiling fans and the shrieking of tropical birds at daybreak. Here, controverting meaning is part of daily life."

For Crying Out Loud by Mary Kole from Kidlit.com. Peek: "I don’t much like to see crying for crying’s sake. There are manuscripts I’ve read that have characters screaming, raging, crying, laughing, and every other powerful emotion in between. But they fail to strike a chord. Why? Because rather than seeing those external displays of emotion, I’d rather know the exact thoughts that bring those tears about."

Reminder: Submit a Photo of Yourself with a Dinosaur to Greg Leitich Smith to take part in his series of blog posts featuring children's-YA authors, illustrators, and other members of the community (booksellers, teachers, publicists, etc.) with dinosaurs to promote your books or other bookish pursuits and in celebration of Greg's upcoming release, Chronal Engine (Clarion/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012). Note: it doesn't have to be an actual, living dinosaur...because that would be challenging. See examples.

Ending Well by Christine Kohler from the Institute of Children's Literature. Peek: "Editors say to end stories organically. What does that mean? It does not mean is to sum up the story or project into the future. To end organically means the ending should grow out of the heart of the story in a natural way."

To enter, comment on this post (click the previous link and scroll) and include an email address (formatted like: cynthia at cynthialeitichsmith dot com) or a link to an email address. Or you can email Cynthia directly with "Diabolical giveaway" in the subject line. Everyone will be entered for every prize unless otherwise specified. If you have, say, an earlier book in the series and don't want another copy, please just say so! (In the alternative, you could plan to gift one to a friend or a local school/public library.) Author-sponsored. Eligibility: international. Deadline: Feb. 8.

Inkies Extravaganza Book Giveaway from the Enchanted Inkpot. Three prize packages of eight books each. Hurry! The winner will be announced Feb. 4. Note: please change your subscriptions/blog rolls to the Inkies new URL.

Win a Chained Book Club Kit from Lynne Kelly at Making Stuff Up & Writing It Down. Kit includes: 10 hardcover copies of Chained (FSG, 2012), a Chained tote bag, bookmarks and signed bookplates for each member of your class or group, and up to an hour-long Skype visit. Grades 3 to 8. Deadline: May 1.

Winners of the Tantalize series bookmark/postcard/bling/iTunes giveaway are Terri in Oklahoma, Rachel in Bedfordshire (U.K.), Artemis in Athens (Greece), Lysette in California, Laurisa in California, Jamie in Oregon, Jenn in Wyoming, and Deena in New York, Alishia in Western Australia, Perla in California, Tayte in Illinois, Mera in Maryland, Tina in Georgia, and Vivien in Kansas.

The winner of signed copies of Love? Maybe. (Dial, 2012) and The Cupcake Queen (Dutton, 2009, 2010), both by Heather Hepler, and various nifty sweet treats is Candace in Virginia, and the runner-up is Lisa in Florida.

Diabolical is the Prep School from Hell -- Literally by M.K. from Popcorn Reads. Peek: "Yes, this is a YA novel...however, it's more of a story about resolve, determination and finding the strength to stand up and be counted. For that reason, it will appeal to folks of all ages. ...I think you are really going to enjoy Diabolical!"

Book Reviews & More says of Tantalize: Kieren's Story: "Ming Doyle has captured the essence of the shifter world that Cynthia has created in her previous three novels. The story is well told in word and art. It was a good read and added to the story we already know and love. Well done."

Book Reviews & More says of "Haunted Love," a free e-book short story: "...you will love the story as it just adds to her cannon and we can't help but wonder who the mysterious inline seller of the energy elixir is. For those who have yet to read her works, it will draw you in. Her writings, in this world she created, are very addictive."

Nominations for The Children's Book Council "2012 Teen Choice Book of the Year" are being accepted on Teenreads.com until Feb. 15. Readers are being asked to list up to five of their favorite books of 2011; the five titles that receive the most votes will become finalists to be entered in a second round of voting. From there, teens will vote again to determine the ultimate winner --- the 2012 Teen Choice Book of the Year. Note: Blessed by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick/Walker) is a nominee! If you liked the novel, please consider voting for it--along with your other four picks--to reach the finals. See the full list of nominated books. (Remember, write-in titles are still being accepted.) Vote for your favorite books here! Voting eligibility: international. Anyone between the ages of 12 and 18 can vote. Deadline for voting in the nominating round: Feb. 15.

See Cynthia's upcoming events in Sandy (Utah), Bastrop (Texas), Southampton (New York), and Montpelier (Vermont), among others. Note: Due to volume, I can't feature the author/illustrator events of all of my Cynsational readers, but if you're Austin bound for an appearance here, let me know, and I'll try to work in a shout out or two. Thanks!

Congratulations on the new magazine Mima--a welcome addition to the world of YA writing! And the Diabolical giveaway is at: http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/release-day-giveaway-diabolical-by.html But I'll enter you there myself! Thanks again!

Sale! February Only!

About

New York Times & Publishers Weekly best-selling, award-winning author the Tantalize series, the Feral series and other critically acclaimed fiction for young readers. She/her. MFA Faculty, Vermont College of Fine Arts. Board member, We Need Diverse Books. Ohonvyetv!

Intern

Intern

Robin Galbraith holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Intern

Kate Pentecost holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is the YA author of Elysium Girls (Hyperion, winter 2020). Kate is represented by Sara Crowe of Pippin Properties.